Page 29 of Once Upon a Holidate
“It will be here tomorrow,” Wynn said. “I’ll text you when it comes in.”
Natalie glanced at Renee who nodded encouragingly.
“So would Hunter be interested in a part-time job?” Natalie asked.
The question surprised Wynn. “He’s only fourteen.”
“I know. It’s nothing big. Just making these.” She pulled a four-inch paper snowman out of her tote. “They’re made with a combination of cutting, gluing and a little origami. I need a thousand.”
Wynn stared at her. “Seriously?”
“Unfortunately. I wasn’t thinking when I came up with a really cute idea for the centerpieces for the wedding. It’s four weeks away, and there’s no way I can put them together myself. Not and do everything else.”
“A thousand?” Wynn couldn’t get past the number of snowmen required. “How long does each one take?”
“It’s slow at first, but then it gets quicker. I would say the average is probably five minutes. The bride’s budget is a dollar fifty a snowman for the work.”
“She must really want the snowmen for her wedding.”
Wynn did the math. Assuming five minutes per snowman, that was only twelve an hour. It would take over eighty hours to complete the job.
“How many are done?” she asked.
“I’ve done a few samples to figure out the best way to put them together.” Natalie dropped her gaze. “And that’s kind of all.”
“You’re in trouble.” Wynn looked at Natalie. “You need help. Lots of help.”
“We’re just about to put out the call.”
“I’ll ask Hunter,” Wynn told her. “Oh, and let me talk to Joylyn.”
Her friends stared at her blankly.
“Who?” Renee asked.
“Joylyn.” Wynn tried to figure out the easiest explanation. “You know Garrick McCabe is my neighbor, right? He has a grown daughter who’s staying with him until the holidays. She’s pregnant and doesn’t have any friends in the area, so she might be looking for something to fill her day.”
Given that Joylyn wasn’t working and that her husband was in the military, Wynn would assume they weren’t rolling in money. The extra cash might help.
“You’ll talk to her?” Natalie asked. “I’m pretty desperate. This is all my fault. I really should have thought through the centerpieces.”
“You artist types,” Renee said, hugging her. “With your head in the clouds. You can’t help being so talented.”
Renee’s phone rang. She pulled it from her bag and glanced at the screen.
“It’s a bride,” she said, getting up from the desk. “I’ll be back when I’ve calmed her down. Feel free to chat among yourselves.”
She left. Wynn smiled at Natalie.
“Are you in a panic?”
“Pretty much.” She pulled one of the little snowmen out of her bag.
The simple design was adorable, with a folded body and cute face. A tiny stovepipe hat sat on his head.
“There’s a girl one, too,” Natalie said, setting her down. “I’ve worked up instructions, and I thought I’d hold a quick class for anyone interested in helping.”
“I can do some in my free time,” Wynn said, not sure how quickly she could get hers done. She’d never been great at crafts. She could design an invitation or a sign with no problems. She enjoyed playing with color and space, but folding and gluing? Not so much.
